AUTHOR'S NOTES: Being the foodie that I am, I have to tell you that this particular headcanon isn't just about Julieta taking care of her brother, but also utilizing her knowledge (and mine!) of all things culinary.
So, let's break this one down, shall we?
The tortillas are a bit obvious and I explain those right away. The hot chocolate and coffee - ditto.
The orange juice and coconut water are where food science comes into play. Orange juice helps with hydration, lowering blood pressure, and can help reduce inflammation. Coconut water has high levels of electrolytes so it's also great for rehydrating after strenuous exercise. (Like for instance, if you've just been looking into the future or your head is splitting apart thanks to a migraine.)
Chapter 2: Comfort Food
Headcanon: Julieta has a special 'meal' for Bruno if he's been dealing with migraines or too many visions: plain tortillas, coffee, hot chocolate, and a combination of orange juice and coconut water.
"What's all this for?" Isabela asked as she and Mirabel came in through the back door. Both girls were covered with dirt from working out in the garden and Isa's hair was starting to work its way out of its braid.
Julieta turned towards her daughters after pulling a few plain tortillas off of the griddle to cool a bit. Her smile was warm, but there was a tightness in her eyes that meant she was deeply worried about something. "Your Tio Bruno has a migraine," she explained. "He hasn't been down all day and... I just... He needs some food, but he barely eats when he's like this. He just hides in his room until he feels better, but..." Taking a deep breath, she gestured to the platter containing a mug of hot chocolate, a cup of strong coffee, a glass of orange juice, and a plate upon which she placed several of the cooling tortillas.
"The tortillas are to help with his nausea," Julieta elaborated after a moment to calm down. "They're just something really mild to settle his stomach. He's not usually up for arepas. The coffee is because sometimes the caffeine helps perk him up if he's groggy."
"And your hot chocolate is because it's warm and comforting," Isabela deduced, nodding approvingly. "And the juice is... just for the sugar?"
Shaking her head, Julieta nodded towards a cracked coconut on the prep table. "Coconut water helps revive the system when you're dehydrated. Combining that with the orange juice helps Bruno's focus."
"Well, why don't we take this up to Tio Bruno?" Mirabel suggested, lifting the tray with practiced ease. "It's Luisa and Tio Felix's turn to make dinner tonight, so if you want, you could rest before we eat tonight."
"I love you, corazons," Julieta replied, touching her daughters' cheeks before starting to clean up her mess.
As Isa and Mirabel headed upstairs, they wondered aloud if they should clean up a bit before taking care of their uncle.
"I'll grab clean clothes from our rooms," Isabela offered as they reached Bruno's door. "I'm sure Tio won't mind us borrowing his bathroom to tidy up."
Nodding in agreement, Mirabel hefted the platter with one hand so that she could open the door to her uncle's new room.
Gone were the mountains of sand, stone walls, and numerous stairs of Bruno's previous room.
Now, there was wood everywhere from the outer walls of the room itself to the half-walls dividing the different areas of the suite, to the cushioned bench next to a wading pool. Far on the other side of the pool, there was a fire pit surrounded by stones. In other words: Perfect for Bruno.
The bedroom door was closed, and Mirabel made sure to extinguish the lit lamps and candles before going to the door and knocking softly. "Tio Bruno? It's Mirabel. Mama sent up some food for you." Opening the door and peering in after hearing no response, it took a few moments for her eyes to adjust to the absence of light. Except for a few rays of sun peaking around the drawn window blinds, the room was dark and quiet. The rats moved about as quietly as possible, watching Bruno and Mirabel with interest.
Bruno was curled up in the hammock in the corner, buried underneath his old, worn, ruana and the quilt Mirabel had given him for his 51st birthday. He groaned softly as he lifted his head, squinting at Mirabel and the platter she held. "Is that from Juli?" he murmured under his breath.
Mirabel nodded, setting the platter on the desk nearby. "Mama said that it's what she used to make for you when you had migraines." Nodding at the door as she took a step back, she added, "Isa and I were in the garden so we're just going to clean up a bit in your bathroom, if that's alright. We'll check on you in a bit?"
Bruno nodded slowly, wincing as he sat up, massaging his temples and frowning. Pointing to a cabinet next to the bed in the corner, he asked, "Hand me some of the headache tonic in there, would you? It's the red capped one."
Mirabel did as instructed and twisted off the cap before handing the small bottle to her tio.
Bruno took a few tentative sips of the tonic, closing his eyes tight against the throbbing, pounding pain in his head. Feeling Mirabel press something into his hand, he cracked open one eye to see that it was a piece of tortilla. Nodding gratefully, he carefully took a small bite, letting out a small sigh of relief as he felt his nausea ebb and his headache start to subside.
By the time Isabela joined them, freshly showered and wearing a green dress with embroidered yellow vines, Bruno looked halfway normal as he sipped the room temperature hot chocolate. "Go freshen up," Isa told Mira, as she pulled a chair over. "I'll keep an eye on Tio Bruno."
Once Mirabel was gone, Isabela raised an eyebrow as she asked, "How are you feeling?"
"Much better," Bruno replied, stretching to work out the knots in his neck and shoulders. "Your mother's food always works best when it's fresh." Shrugging, he added, "It works even better when I tell her when I start getting headaches, but this one came on too quickly for me to head it off... no pun intended."
Glancing at the remainder of the platter, Isa raised an eyebrow as she inquired, "Are you going to be up to coming down for dinner? We could bring you up a plate if you're not."
Finishing the juice and the last scrap of tortilla, Bruno shook his head as he downed another swig of coffee, climbing out of the hammock. "I'll have a hot shower after Mirabel is finished and I should be just fine. Thank you, Isa. You and Mira. Oh," he chimed as Isabela stood up and went to grab the platter. When Isa turned, he added, "And tell Julieta 'thank you' as well."
"I will, Tio," Isabela promised, taking the platter and leaving the room.